Non-Muslim Pinoys in UAE adopt Ramadan practices

Al Ain, ABU DHABI — Living in a Muslim country, non-Muslim Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates have learned to abide by rules and practices during Ramadan, a month of fasting and one of the religious observances in Islam. During Ramadan, which started two weeks ago on Aug. 1, Muslim and non-Muslims have to refrain from eating, drinking, and smoking in public from sunrise to sunset until Aug. 29. If not, they could be imprisoned for three months or pay a fine of 1,010 dirhams (P11,680). Art. 313 of the Federal Penal Code provides that consuming anything in public during Ramadan is a criminal offense. This provision applies to both Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Tawam Hospital medical secretary Nelson Nico, for one, has to adhere strictly to Ramadan’s practices. “Wala akong alam sa Ramadan ‘nung nasa Pilipinas pa ako. ‘Nung nag-abroad ako nung 1986, first time kung naranasan [ang Ramadan]," he says. In his 26 years of stay in the Middle East — 20 years in Saudi Arabia and six years in the UAE — Nico had to hold back his hunger in public places. “‘Yung first time ko, excited akong masubukan kasi hindi ko pa nagagawa," he says. “Ang hirap ko lang noon ay ‘yung pagkain nang patago. Gabi rin lang ako nakakapamalengke kasi gabi lang naman bukas ‘yung mga shops," he said. Nico says he was taught that Christians like him have to fast even during Ramadan. “Once a year lang naman ang Ramadan. Hindi naman ito sagabal para hindi mo makuha ‘yung professional success dito," he says. Nico learned to be more patient and respectful. “Wala naman masama sa ginagawa nila, so bakit hindi? May makukuha ka pang lesson," according to him. OFW orientation The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration conducts pre-departure orientation seminars to teach overseas Filipino workers about the laws and practices observed in Muslim countries. This is where Marilyn Grabillo, 51, learned what she should not do during this time. When she was working at the Assir Central Hospital in Saudi Arabia a decade ago, Grabillo would go home in between her work period so that she could eat. Luckily, her abode is within the hospital compound. “Dito, nakakakain kami kapag walang pasyente. Dito, kahit papano, puwede ka makapag-tea. Bukas din ‘yung cafeteria. Lahat ng mga hindi Muslim, allowed kumain," she says. Also, Imelda Mahinay, 41, a masseuse, said she has learned to cope during Ramadan. “Nakakain naman ako sa bahay. Naiintindihan naman ng amo ko kahit na Muslim siya," according to Imelda. She says the only difference is her workload. “Nakaka-dalawa hanggang tatlo lang akong customer kapag Ramadan. Lima hanggang anim kapag hindi," she said. Mahinay has been a masseuse since 2004. She has also worked in Brunei, which also observes Ramadan. Similar practice of fasting Back in the Philippines where Catholicism is the most dominant religion, Gabrillo recognized that Lent is not strictly adhered. “Kapag Kuwaresma, hindi natin masyadong ginagawa ang pag-fafasting at abstinence. Yung sa kapatid ko, ginagawa lang nila iyan three days bago mag-Good Friday," she says. Whatever the religion of an OFW is, Gabrillo said OFWs should just abide by their practices. “Nandito tayo kaya kung ano ang kultura nila, kung ano ang tradisyon nila, irespeto na lang natin," she says. — JE, GMA News